Machine for closing and sealing cartons



Jan. 11, 1938. c., 1.. E. o. H. T. PHILLIPS ET AL 2,104,903

MACHINE FOR CLOSING AND SEALING CARTONS Filed Oct. 1, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS magmzba 014M196? "7 W42 1 w 8 air/I M A TTOE VE) Jan. 11, 1938. c. L. E. o. H. T. PHILLIPS El AL 2,104,908

MACHINE FOR CLOSING AND SEALING CARTONS Fil ed Oc t. l, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 un \H {9 36 if ay 3.940

By ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 11, 1938 UNETED STATES PATENT OFFICE MACHINE FOR CLOSING AND SEALING CARTONS England Application October 1,

1935, Serial No. 43,050

In Great Britain October 15, 1934 11 Claims.

This invention relates to the closure and sealing of cartons or like containers of flexible or pliable material and formed with a flattened mouth to be sealed.

Milk and other comestibles are being sold in increasing amounts in non-brittle throw-away containers of this kind and it has been usual hitherto in the closing and sealing thereof to apply a folded metal strip over the lips of the mouth of the container which are held together and then to press or indent the strip and the lips so as to maintain the sealing strip in position and to effeet the sealing of said carton.

The object of the invention is to provide cheap and efficient means for carrying into effect the said closure.

In connection with the sealing of collapsible tube containers for pasty or semi-liquid substances and formed in general of a lead alloy of high malleability it is well known to provide machines either hand operated orforming part of a mechanical filling or sealing machine which fold the flattened mouth of the tube over on the tube body twice in two consecutive operations. Each of these operations in general consists of several steps including folding the end at right angles over a folding device then a further folding operation to' bend the tube mouth back on itself through a further 90 and finally a pinching operation to flatten the folded over mouth against the tube body. Then the tube is moved forward to repeat these steps on the already folded end to produce the double fold abovementioned.

With malleable tubes such processes are relatively simple as the tube material will remain in any position in which it is bent between the successive steps of the folding operation. The present invention, however, deals with a problem which is more complicated because it is primarily intended for the closure of waxed cardboard or, like containers, which have considerable resiliency and are more dimcult to bend or fold and to retain in their folded positions. While, however, the methods of the invention are primarily intended to deal with such resilient containers, it is possible to apply such methods also to malleable tubular containers to provide an improved closure thereof. In the closure of the invention it is sufficient to provide only a single fold of the tube wall back 50 on itself to produce adequate sealing.

Further objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description of several embodiments thereof read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification and in which:

Fig. 1 shows in perspective one form of the sealing machine of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a more or less diagrammatic View of the carton before being closed;

Fig. 2a. is a more or less diagrammatic view of 5 the carton after being closed;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 4 and 5 are corresponding transverse sections of a slight variant of the device shown in Fig. 1 showing the two end positions of operation.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section of a slightly modified embodiment.

In the form of closure to which the present invention is more particularly directed, the lips of the carton mouth are pressed together and a metal strip of pre-formed V shape is applied to the lips so as to lie astride the same in the position indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 2.

The carton mouth when sealed assumes the 20 form shown in Fig. 2a, where in the walls of the mouth and the metal strip have been folded over together and have been pressed fiat one against the other.

0ne form of machine for effecting a closure of the above nature is shown in Figs. 1 and 3. In this form the initial folding and final pressing operations are effected in succession by continued operation of the same actuating member. In these figures a U-shaped frame 30 adapted to be secured in any suitable manner to a wall or table bracket indicated diagrammatically by 3|, is apertured to support a rotatable folding member 32 which is actuated by means of a cranked handle 33. The folding member 32 has 35 an operative section as shown in Fig. 3. Mounted on frame 30 by means of bolts 34 and spring washers 35 is a substantially stationary die or pressing plate 36 which in conjunction with the folding member 32 performs the final pressing operation.

The plate 36 although normally stationary is capable of slight movement axially of its supporting bolts in order to accommodate materials of varying thickness. To this end the bolts 34 are carried in sleeves 3'! secured rigidly to frame 3% and the springs 35 are interposed between the rear face of plate 36 and the front end or shoulder 38 of the sleeves 37 and the position of plate 36 is set by means of a nut 39 and held by lock nut 40.

The rotatable folding member 32 is rotated about an axis P and is formed so that its operative face 4| in its normal position forms substantially a continuation of the operative face of plate 36. The member 32 has also a curved cam face 42.

Intermediate the plate 36 and the operative face 4% of member 32 in the path of movement of the latter is a movable die 33 which is mounted to pivot about a pin 44. The die 43 has an operative face 45 and a bevelled edge 46' which form the folding face and edge respectively. The movable die 23 in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3 is also provided with a cam arm 41 which in the inoperative position contacts the cam face 42 of the member 32. Die 43 is also formed with abutment members 48 for a'purpose hereinafter described. I

Mounted on or integral with frame 30 is a stop element 43 which in the preferred form is: continued at its outer end in the form of an. are 58 concentric with axis P. a

The sealing operation with this device is as follows. The flattened mouth of the carton embraced by the V-shaped metal strip is inserted from beneath between members 45 and 36 until it contacts stop 33. Then handle 33 is rotated downwardly clockwise (Fig. I) so that folding member 32 rotates in the direction of arrow Q. This causes folding of the mouth and stripover the folding edge 46 until the member 32 takes up the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3.

.During this movement the movable die 43 is prevented from moving away from member 32 by the contact of cam arm 4'! against cam face: 42 while the outer edge or apex of the metal strip contacts. with the are 58 of stop 49 thus preventingany tendency of the mouth to alter its position relatively to members 32 and 46. When member 32 reaches the dotted line: position arm 'i moves off cam 42 and member 43 is forced to move away by the action of the outer edge of face ll acting on abutment face 48. Member a3 is thus retracted from the path of movement of member 32 which presses the folded mouth and strip flat against the plate 36. Upward rotation of handle 33 then alllows withdrawal of the sealed carton.

The embodiment shown in Figs. 4 and 5 differs. from that of Figs. 1 and 3 in the mainby the provision of a straight stop 5! instead of the curved stop 5!) and by the provision of a spring 52 controlling the movement of member 43 in Certain variations in stead of the cam arm. 3?. minor constructional details will also be apparent from the drawings which have no effect on. the operation of the sealing device.

In operation the member 32 on rotation folds the mouth and strip over the edge 46 of member 43 which is held from downward movement by the action of spring 52 until the leading edge of member 32 engages abutment surface 43 when continued pressure causes pivotal movement of member 33 in the direction ofarrow R against action of spring 52 to, move face 45 out of the path of the advancing face 3] of member 32 and the carton mouth being folded thereby. The final position of members 32 and 43 is shown in Fig. 5 whereinthe folded carton mouth would be pressed flat between face 46 and plate 36.

While the faces ti and 36 have been shown as flat they can, if desired, be serrated, corrugated, or otherwise formed to provide impressions or indentations in the outer face of the metal strip when folded or to provide a corrugated fold. By the construction illustrated these members and 36 are readily removable and one machine can be provided with various forms of folding and stationary dies.

If desired, the stop for the outer edge of the carton mouth may be mounted on and project slightly from the leading edge of the face t! of member 32 but this construction has been found in practice to give unsatisfactory operation. Further; instead of the manual operation by handle 33 the same elements may be provided in a power operated machine.

Fig. 6 shows. a slight modification of the device of Figs. 1 and 3 which is intended tofacilitate the introduction of the neck of the container carrying the V-shaped strip into its correct position.

In certain forms of containers the thickness of the neck together with the metal strip, especially if the latter has been 'pre-folded to V form with a relatively large apex angle, may be greater than the space existing between the plate 36 and the edge 43 as shown in Fig. 3. To ensure that the container mouth may be correctly introduced into its folding position, the cam arm 47 (Fig. 6) is formed with an inclined end surface 5 1 which in the inoperative rest position of the folding member 32 rests in the position shewn in full lines in Fig. 6.

In this position the movable die 43 has swung in a clockwise direction about its pivot pin 4 to bring the toe 5:; of the surface 54. to bear against the cam face 42 of member 32 thus increasing the space between edge 46 and plate 33.

On rotation of the folding member 32 the leading edge thereof bearing against the inclined face 54 lifts the cam arm 47 so that theheel 58 'of face54 rests on the cam face 42, the die 43 thus rocking about its pivot 44and bringing the foldi ing edge 43 into its correct folding position immediately'on the commencement of the folding movement of the member 32, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6.

What we claim is:

1. A machine for closing and sealing cartons of flexible material having a flattened mouth and a folded metal strip applied over the edge of said mouth with its limbs straddling said mouth which includes in combination a. rotatable folding member, a movable die forming a counter-abutment for said folding member, a' folding edge onsaid die disposed in the path of movement of said rotatable folding member and adapted to be moved out of its operative position by said folding memmouth with its limbs straddling said month which includes in combinationa rotatable folding member, a movable die forming counter-abutment for said folding member,.a folding edge on said die disposed in the path of movement of said rotatable folding member and adapted to be moved out of its operative position by said folding member, means to restrainsaid movable .die from movement during a predetermined angular move ment of said rotatable folding member, a second die co-operating with said folding member to provide a pinching action, resilient means supporting said second die and means to actuate said rotatable folding member.

3. A machine for closing and sealing cartons of flexible material having aflattened mouth and a a folded metal strip applied over the edge of said mouth with its limbs straddling said mouth which includes in combination a rotatable folding member, a supporting pivot for said member, a rotatable die provided with a folding edge disposed in the path of movement of said rotatable folding member and adapted to be moved out of its operative position by said folding member, a

supporting pivot for said rotatable die disposed eccentrically of said first-mentioned pivot, means to restrain said rotatable die from movement during a predetermined angular movement of said rotatable folding member, a second stationary die co-operating with said folding member to provide a pinching action and means to rotate said folding member.

4. A machine for closing and sealing cartons of flexible material having a flattened mouth and a folded metal strip applied over the edge of said mouth with its limbs straddling said mouth which includes in combination a rotatable folding member, a supporting pivot for said member, a rotatable die provided with a folding edge disposed in the path of movement of said rotatable folding member and adapted to be moved out of its operative position by said folding member, a supporting pivot for said die disposed eccentrically of said first-mentioned pivot, spring means maintaining said rotatable die in its operative position through a predetermined angular movement of said rotatable folding member, a second stationary die co-operating with said folding member to provide a pinching action and means to rotate said folding member.

5. A machine for closing and sealing cartons of flexible material having a flattened mouth and a folded metal strip applied over the edge of said mouth with its limbs straddling said mouth which includes in combination a rotatable folding member, a cam face formed on said member, a movable die forming a counter-abutment for said folding member, a folding edge on said die disposed in the path of movement of said rotatable folding member and adapted to be moved out of its operative position by said folding member, an arm on said die co-operating with said cam face to hold said die in its operative position during a predetermined movement of said folding member, a second die co-operating with said folding member to provide a pinching action and means to rotate said folding member.

6. A machine for closing and sealing cartons of flexible material having a flattened mouth and a folded metal strip applied over the edge of said r mouth with its limbs straddling said mouth which includes in combination a rotatable folding member, a supporting pivot for said member, a cam face formed on said folding member, a rotatable die having a folding edge disposed in the path of movement of said rotatable folding member and adapted to be moved out of its operative position by said folding member, a supporting pivot for said die disposed eccentrically of said first-mentioned pivot, an arm on said die operating with said cam face to retain said rotatable die in its operative position during a predetermined movement of said folding member, a second die co-operating with said folding member to provide a pinching action and means to rotate said folding member.

'7. A machine for closing and sealing cartons of flexible material having a flattened mouth and a folded metal strip applied over the edge of said mouth with its limbs straddling said mouth which includes in combination a machine frame, a rotatable folding member mounted replaceably in said frame, a stop on said frame to position the carton being treated, a movable die having a folding edge disposed in the path of movement of said rotatable folding member and adapted to be moved out of its operative position by said folding member pivotally mounted on said frame, means to restrain said movable die from movement during a predetermined angular movement of said folding member, a second die co-operating with said folding member to provide a pinching action replaceably mounted on said frame and means to rotate said folding member.

8. A machine for closing and sealing cartons of flexible material having a flattened mouth and a l folded metal strip applied over the edge of said mouth with its limbs straddling said mouth which includes in combination a machine frame, a rotatable folding member mounted in said frame,

a stop for said carton to be treated mounted on said frame, a curved member extending concentrically with the rotary path of said folding member formed on said stop, a movable die having a folding edge disposed in the path of movement of said rotatable folding member and adapted to be moved out of its operative position by said folding member pivotally mounted on said frame, means to restrain said movable die from movement during a predetermined angular movement of said rotatable folding member, a second die co-operating with said folding member to provide a pinching action mounted on said frame and means to rotate said folding member.

9. A machine for closing and sealing cartons of flexible material having a flattened mouth and a folded metal strip applied over the edge of said mouth, with its limbs straddling said mouth which includes in combination a rotatable folding member, a cam face formed on said member, a movable die having a folding edge disposed in the path of movement of said rotatable folding member and adapted to be moved out of its operative position by said folding member, means to control the position of said die relatively to said folding member comprising an arm on said die co-operating with said cam face so as to Withdraw said die from its operative position during non operation of the machine so as to move said movable die into its operative position immediately on rotation of said folding member and so as to restrain said movable die from movement during a predetermined angular movement of said folding member, a second die co-operating with said folding member to provide a pinching action and means to rotate said supporting member.

10. A machine for closing and sealing cartons of flexible material having a flattened mouth and a folded metal strip applied over the edge of said mouth with its limbs straddling said mouth which includes in combination a machine frame, a stationary die mounted on said frame and having a substantially vertical operative face, a rotatable folding member, an operative face on said folding member forming in the position of rest of said member an extension of the operative face of said die, a supporting pivot for said folding member mounted on said frame with its axis disposed in spaced relation to said vertical faces, a rotatable die having a folding edge located below the axis of rotation of said folding member and spaced from said vertical faces, a supporting pivot for said rotatable die having its axis disposed on the side of the axis of said folding member remote from said vertical faces, means to move said rotatable die in direct response to the movement of said folding member'and means to rotate said folding member.

11. A machine for closing and sealing cartons of flexible material having a flattened mouth and a folded metal strip applied over the edge of said mouth with its limbs straddling said mouth which includes in combination a rotatable folding member, a, movable'die forming a counter-abutment for said folding member, a folding edge on said die disposed in the path of movement of said rotatable folding member and adapted to be moved CLEOPATRA LEONITA EUGENIE 7 OLGA HANNAH TOT PHILLIPS. EILEEN BARBARA PHILLIPS. 

